What Do People Expect?

I guess people expect us to forget we ever had babies. Forget that we are mothers. And act as if their babies and children are the only ones who count and should matter. I guess people think we should gather up the desire, strength, and the courage (that just isn't there) enough to carry on as if things are "back to normal." I guess people think we should be "big enough" people to be happy for them when all goes well despite the fact that we're lonely, confused, scared, and angry as hell. It is so interesting that after all we as mothers without babies have to endure, we're still expected to live up to the expectations of friends and families whose lives have gone untouched by the way ours have changed forever. I hate it when people expect these things and then think we should expect nothing in return.